Brooke Henderson roars to -6, 3-way tie at -8 at CP Women’s Open

The sounds of good drives, the disappointment of bogeys and the roar of the crowd following Canada’s Brooke Henderson could all be heard at the first-round of the CP Women’s Open.

The day didn’t get off to the start Henderson was looking for with a bogey on hole number one at Wascana Country Club.

But she would right the ship with five birdies on the next eight holes.

“I feel like I hit the ball in good places and gave myself a lot of opportunities and just, fortunately, my putter was really working today,” Henderson said following her round.

Members of Brooke’s Brigade were out in full force as well at the first round, with a large crowd of hundreds following Henderson to every hole.

“It was like a massive line-up, I’ve never seen that many people on the course before,” Chris Yang, who’s a member of the country club.

Henderson said having the crowd get excited during her run of four birdies helped her build momentum throughout the day.

“The crowds here are amazing, I think that’s probably part of the Roughriders coming out which is really cool.”

Henderson shot a 6-under-par 66 to put her in a tie for sixth place at the tournament.

Henderson will tee off at 8:28 a.m. to begin round two of the tournament.

Three tied atop leaderboard at -8

It wouldn’t take long for the LPGA’s best to make their mark at Wascana Country Club, with a course record being set by the first group of the day.

Mariajo Uribe shot an 8-under-par 64 which was a lead she didn’t surrender the rest of the day. Uribe came into the tournament ranked 83 on the official money list and missed the cut at the Indy Women in tech Championship just last week.

Not to be outdone, the number two LPGA golfer in the world Airya Jutanugarn matched the course record 64, putting her in a tie for the lead.

“Today my goal was just like, don’t worry about the future too much, don’t think about what I’m going to shoot today,” Jutanugarn said.

She said playing in Canada is always so special to her because of how the crowds embrace all the golfers.

She said if the wind does pick up — which is expected with 50 kilometre per hour winds foretasted — the course could play completely different.

“Going to be harder, it’s going to be harder, I just have to play and wish it’s going to be okay.”

Nasa Hataoka also made a push later in the afternoon, joining them at the top of the leaderboard.

Hataoka will tee off at 7:55 a.m., Uribe at 12: 15 p.m. and Jutanugarn at 1:32 p.m.

Three-time champion Ko in the hunt

Despite only being 21-year-old, Lydia Ko knows exactly what it takes to win the CP Women’s Open — she’s already done it three times in her career.

“I think the Canadians have taken me in as a Canadian almost, and I always love coming back to Canada,” Ko said.

Ko said her first LPGA victory at the Canadian Women’s open in 2012 is a little more special than a few of her other wins.

Even with all her victories thus far in her career, she’s hoping her peak is yet to come.

“Obviously very lucky to have done what I’ve been able to do these past few years.”

Ko finished the round 6-under-par, also putting her in a tie for sixth with Henderson.

“It’s nice to have a good round under my belt and especially because you’re playing in the morning, you’re trying to take advantage of the calm conditions,” Ko said.

Ko will begin her second round at 1:43 p.m.

Top 10 leaderboard